The Victoria's Secret beauty ethos has long been marked by lust-worthy lengths left loose. And while recent years have found Afros and close crops speckled throughout the brand's annual runway show, the updo has always seemed to be a non-starter—until last night's viewing event in New York. Rather than an unending parade of blowouts and waves, Angels opted for elevated tie-backs that exuded a bombshell factor all their own.

Power ponytails experienced an additional dose of drama as demonstrated by Taylor Hill, whose sleek and extended brunette struck a futuristic note—while ensuring focus fell on the model's exaggerated, graphic cat eye—and Elsa Hosk, her high-slung ponytail channeling a Blonde Ambition-era Madonna. Lais Ribeiro offered a finger-raked take, romantic flyaways and tousled texture playing well with a red-orange lip. And for Stella Maxwell, a free-the-nipple moment was furthered by some equally double-take-inducing hair styling: While from the front, her mane fell in glossy, face-framing bends, a simple securing at the nape of the neck saw a supremely insouciant take on glamour, the playful ponytail primed for holiday emulation. The lesson? While free-flowing hair affords an alluring element to an evening-ready look, this season, a well-executed ponytail is the ultimate party trick.